OHL Surprisingly Hands Out Controversial Suspensions to Two Goalies for Fighting
The OHL surprisingly handed out controversial suspensions to two goalies who dropped the gloves during a game.
In junior hockey, the debate to ban fights altogether has been put forward many times. In fact, the QMJHL decided to do it: when players drop the gloves, they're getting ejected from the game, and the instigator will get an automatic one-game suspension.
However, other leagues are yet to implement the same measure, and a massive scrum occurred during the weekend in a game between the Niagara IceDogs and the Brampton Steelheads. Two goalies, Jack Ivankovic and Owen Flores, even took part in the action and decided to fight at the center-ice.
Flores completely demolished his opponent, sending him on the ice after only a few seconds, and continued to punch him when he was down, even after the referees' intervention.
Watch a video of the fight here!
The OHL announced a verdict for the consequences for both goalies. In breaking news, the League decided to each suspend them for four games:
It's not so bad considering that we've already seen the OHL suspend a player indefinitely after a wild fight last season.
Ivankovic, who lost the fight, is considered to be among the top goalie prospects for the 2025 NHL draft. It would be surprising that this incident comes in the way of his future career, but if he gets involved in other similar incidents in the future, it could dissuade teams to select him. This season, the 17-year-old goalie from Ontario has a 0.936 save percentage as well as a 1.71 goals against average.
